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The Timken Company Community Event Marks Start of Centennial

8 February 1999

The Timken Company Community Event Marks Start of Centennial in Stark County

    CANTON, Ohio, Feb. 8 -- Local business, community and
government leaders gathered to celebrate The Timken Company's
local commemoration of its Centennial anniversary and near century-long
relationship between The Timken Company and Stark County on last Thursday,
February 4.  The commemoration took place during a community event at The
Canton Cultural Center for the Arts.
    "The Centennial functions here in Canton hold special significance for The
Timken Company," said W. R. Timken Jr., chairman, president and chief
executive officer.  "The history of this company and this community are deeply
intertwined.  Our Canton operations were the foundation for a century of
achievement.  Although 70 percent of our current associates live outside Stark
County, the seed was planted here."
    The event gave guests an opportunity to tour The Timken Company's 120-foot
by 120-foot Centennial exhibit that features products, 400 photos and
illustrations and items from the company's archives.  The Canton Cultural
Center for the Arts is currently displaying a turn-of-the-century painting,
"Fall Landscape," from the Timken Museum of Art in San Diego.  Guests also
enjoyed a close look at a restored 1904 St. Louis Carriage Car -- one of the
first automobiles equipped with Timken bearings.
    "This Centennial commemoration is a real source of pride for our
associates," said Mr. Timken.  "We recognize that achieving this landmark
anniversary was possible only through the outstanding efforts of many
thousands of company associates over the decades.  Today's Timken Company
associates are exceptional men and women who will help the company start a
second century of success."
    "The Timken Company is one of the pillars upon which Canton's industrial
complex was built," said Canton Mayor Richard Watkins.  "The relationship
between Timken and Canton has grown in magnitude over the years, and the
company's generosity to this community continues.  The involvement of the
Timken family -- and all area company associates -- means a great deal to the
community."
    The events in Canton are part of the company's year-long celebration, as
Timken associates, customers and plant communities around the world mark the
100th anniversary.  Commemorations, including customer dinners, day-long
family festivals and other events, began in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Buenos
Aires, Argentina, in January.  The company's senior executives are
participating in the commemorations, personally congratulating associates on
six continents for their contributions to their company's success.
    "We began planning for this Centennial commemoration more than two years
ago," said Liz Smith, manager - corporate and financial communications, and
the Centennial team project leader.  "Our core Centennial team -- Eric
Shirley, Dane Roth, Terry Gamble and Melissa Ray -- have been working in
concert with associates in 25 countries to ensure that every celebration is
memorable and reflects the culture and importance of each location."
    The Timken Company (http://www.timken.com) is a leading international
manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels with operations in
25 countries.  The company employs 21,000 people worldwide and reported 1998
sales of more than $2.6 billion.